India is increasingly shaping a drone-first maritime strategy centered on the Andaman and Nicobar Command, which sits close to the western entrance of the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. As per several Defence Experts, India is drawing inspiration from Iran’s Asymmetric Hormuz Warfare Blueprint which choked the vital global maritime route of Strait of Hormuz and successfully held the US Navy from taking any massive military movement by deploying scores of drones and loitering munitions by targeting the valuable assets like Aircraft Carriers and Destroyers.
Often described by Indian strategists as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier,” the Andaman & Nicobar island chain allows India to monitor and potentially control naval movement through the Malacca chokepoint—a route used by a large portion of China’s energy imports and maritime trade.
The emerging concept mirrors elements of Iran’s asymmetric defense doctrine in the Strait of Hormuz, where swarms of missiles, drones, and fast attack craft create a layered sea-denial network designed to deter stronger navies.
However, India’s version is evolving into something far more technologically advanced, combining geography with long-range drones, loitering munitions, and underwater autonomous systems.
How Does India’s Andaman and Nicobar Command Act as a Malacca Chokepoint?
The Andaman and Nicobar Command occupies a strategically critical location near the 10-degree channel, the western gateway to the Strait of Malacca.
This geography allows India to monitor naval traffic traveling between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
Strategists often describe the region as the “Malacca chokepoint”, where a relatively small number of military assets could disrupt or deter large-scale naval movements.
Key advantages of the Andaman & Nicobar position include:
- Geography: Overlooks the western approach to the Malacca Strait
- Forward Surveillance: Allows early detection of naval deployments in the eastern Indian Ocean
- Operational Reach: Aircraft and drones can cover vast sections of the shipping route
India is also expanding infrastructure in the region through projects such as the Great Nicobar Project, which includes plans for a major airbase capable of supporting long-range maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned systems.
This growing military presence strengthens India’s ability to enforce sea denial operations in the region if required.
What Is the Role of Sheshnaag-150 in India’s Sea Denial Strategy?
India’s drone ecosystem is playing a central role in this strategy.
One of the emerging systems is the Sheshnaag-150, developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies.
The Sheshnaag-150 is designed as a long-range loitering munition capable of targeting naval assets.
Key specifications include:
- Range: Up to 1,000 km
- Payload: 25–40 kg warhead
- Role: Precision strike against ships, radar installations, and logistics targets
Such systems allow India to deploy low-cost, high-impact strike assets across wide maritime areas.
Private defense technology companies are increasingly involved in this ecosystem, including ideaForge Technology, NewSpace Research and Technologies, and Sagar Defence Engineering, which are working on unmanned aerial and maritime platforms.
Together, these systems could form a network of surveillance drones, loitering munitions, and autonomous underwater vehicles capable of tracking and striking hostile naval forces.
How Does India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” Counter China’s “String of Pearls”?
China’s maritime strategy across the Indian Ocean is often described as the “String of Pearls,” referring to a network of ports and logistical facilities stretching from the South China Sea to the Middle East.
India’s counter-strategy is known as the “Necklace of Diamonds,” which combines partnerships with regional countries and strategic military positions across the Indian Ocean.
However, the strategy is increasingly evolving beyond diplomacy into technological sea denial.
India’s “Necklace of Diamonds” strategy is moving from diplomatic alliances to technical sea-denial through the mass deployment of low-cost, high-attrition drones.
In a conflict scenario, large numbers of drones, loitering munitions, and unmanned underwater vehicles could create a layered defensive network across critical maritime chokepoints.
Such an approach would dramatically increase the operational risk for adversary fleets attempting to operate in the region.
Why the Malacca Strategy Matters for the Future of Naval Warfare
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA-Navy) relies heavily on maritime routes through the Strait of Malacca for energy imports and trade flows.
By leveraging geography and emerging autonomous technologies, India could create a powerful sea-denial network capable of disrupting adversary naval operations in the eastern Indian Ocean.
Unlike traditional naval warfare centered on large warships, this emerging doctrine focuses on distributed, attritable systems such as drones, loitering munitions, and autonomous platforms.
If successfully implemented, the Andaman & Nicobar island chain could become one of the most strategically significant military outposts in the Indo-Pacific—an unsinkable aircraft carrier capable of influencing one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
